Thank you to Paseo Verde Library, in Henderson, Nevada, for hosting a productive book fair on Saturday, March 5, 2016. I attended to promote my first novel, In Kala’s Hands: A Lakota Sioux Proclamation, published in November 2014.

I had the pleasure of meeting outstanding local authors from Henderson and Las Vegas. Exchanging strategies and social media contacts is always a good thing. I appreciated learning new ideas and making new friends.

Thanks for the flattering picture taken by a member of the library staff.

Hard to believe it’s been a year since becoming an author. Writing In Kala’s Hands: A Lakota Sioux Proclamation is a surprised accomplishment. Not from lack of determination, but from a host of health issues which remain unpredictable on a daily basis. I suffer from CML, a rare leukemia, and the side effects from ingesting a daily chemo pill demand my attention. Modifying my daily activities became the norm since 2009, the year I retired. I was diagnosed in 2003, but continued teaching middle school students for five years. In October 2008, I decided I couldn’t work one more day. It was a painstaking decision, which affected my future.

Trying to master the craft of writing is never ending. Short stories and blogging became the progression before attempting a novel. Whenever I hold my book in my hands, it amazes me. Yet since publishing, I cannot come up with a story I want to turn into a second book. Sure, I’ve started a few projects, but none I’m excited about continuing. I don’t want to write a story lacking passion. When I think of In Kala’s Hands, I well up in tears. I absolutely love her story. I’m anxious to feel that again for my second book.

During the past year it’s been gratifying to know people are reading and enjoying In Kala’s Hands. I receive valuable reviews and emails from readers expressing their thoughts. Nothing makes me happier. Kala is in numerous libraries, sixteen in Nevada and two out of state. I check weekly and someone is always reading a copy.

As I follow authors marketing and promoting their books, I realize I should work harder in that discipline. But I refuse to be obnoxious and force people to read my novel. There are people who own it and haven’t even read it yet. I post and tweet every so often, a sufficient reminder to readers Kala is available. In the spring I’ll once again take part in local book fairs hoping to acquire new fans.

My favorite part about writing is research. I dream about my bum knees allowing me to participate in hands-on research. I’d love to travel for primary source information. My son accompanied me to Rapid City, SD while I researched for In Kala’s Hands. There’s nothing like walking in your protagonist’s shoes. It made all the difference to me as a writer.

Without you, my astute readers, I would never consider writing a second book. I appreciate all who have read my novel and I especially want to thank those who took the time to comment on my blog and/or write a review on Amazon so others may add In Kala’s Hands: A Lakota Sioux Proclamation to their reading list.

In Kala’s Hands is available in twelve Clark County Libraries, and I’m happy to say Henderson added it to their system as well.
I’m working with Spanish Springs Library, in Sparks, Nevada. My grandson lives in Sparks and I’d like it to be on the shelves in his hometown library. This is not an easy feat . . . I’m still working on it.

My mother’s library located on Long Island, New York, accepted my donated book. Not only is it sitting on their shelf for patrons, but the Director, Nan Peel, included a bookplate inside the cover showing a dedication to my mom. She will include her gesture in the Center Moriches Library fall newsletter. This was lovely, and I’m thankful to the library’s director.

I took advantage of Kindle Publishing Select and gave away free copies of my novel. I’m happy with the results, as I’ve gained new readers for Kala. More freebie days along with Countdown deals in the future.

The Clark County Library District added six additional copies of my novel to six different libraries. That makes twelve all together sitting on library shelves in Clark County. There’s already two holds on the first copy returned. 🙂

On January 14, 2014, I wrote a post on my ‘Consider’ blog and titled it, The Power of a Tweet. (https://muddlethru.wordpress.com/) Today I’m recycling the title. Why, you ask? Let me tell you a cool story.

As you know, I’m working on promoting my novel, In Kala’s Hands: A Lakota Sioux Proclamation. As most authors, Twitter is included as a means to advertise. Earlier this month, I received a tweet asking if I was Sioux. I replied no, asking if she had read my book. I mentioned my visit to the Pine Ridge Reservation for research. She tweeted she had not yet read it because her library was trying to get it. I asked where and the name of the library. She replied, Lyons Public Library in Lyons, Kansas.

I was elated. Someone requested my book in Kansas! How cool is that? I tweeted to let me know if I could be of assistance in case she encountered a problem.

A week passed by without hearing from Kala’s potential reader. I couldn’t stand not knowing if Lyons library would obtain my book for her, so I called. The librarian said she couldn’t order the book without the patron’s full name. Luckily, this person uses her first and last name as her Twitter username. Once the library verified the patron, Kala traveled to Lyons, Kansas. I hope to hear from LeAnne when she holds the book in her hands. Success and the power of a tweet! How cool is that?